Who did Gene Hackman play in Hoosiers? 'RIP Coach' trends after legendary actor was found dead along with wife in his home

Actor Gene Hackman died at the age of 95 on February 26, 2025. The news was confirmed as per a report by Santa Fe New Mexican which noted that he and his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in the Santa Fe Summit community.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza announced shortly after February 26, 2025, that the couple and their dog lost their lives. However, Mendoza stated that there were no signs of foul play but did not disclose the cause of death or the estimated time of their passing.

Gene Hackman is well-known for his Coach Norman Dale role in the 1986 film Hoosiers. Soon after the news of his death went viral, a new trend or hashtag “RIP Coach” gained traction on social media platforms, referring to his role in Hoosiers. Here are some tributes and reactions:

“Rip Coach Dale. Gene Hackman introduced the World to Indiana Basketball,” a social media user wrote.

“RIP, coach. Best actor of the best sports movie,” an X user shared.

“There are few people in the world who can be cast for roles in various movie genres throughout their career that you really see how talented they are in acting. #GeneHackmen was one of those people. So many roles, but my favorite will always be Coach Norman Dale. RIP Coach,” another person posted.

According to The Guardian, the sheriff stated that they were conducting an initial investigation into the deaths and were awaiting approval for a search warrant. Before the couple was officially identified, he assured the community that there was no immediate threat to the neighborhood.

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Gene Hackman left his acting career in 2004

Gene Hackman was 56 when he starred in Hoosiers. According to Screen Rant, he had already earned three Academy Award nominations and won in 1972 for his role as Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection.

Hoosiers marked a significant point in his career, showcasing one of his most memorable performances. Coach Norman Dale, portrayed a complex character who guided a struggling basketball team to reach their full potential. Hackman retired from acting in 2004 and shifted his focus to writing novels.

Actor and writer George Takei, in an X post, wrote that Gene Hackman was a remarkable actor who could effortlessly take on any role, bringing depth and authenticity to every character. Whether portraying a larger-than-life figure or an ordinary person, he had a unique ability to make audiences believe in his performances.

Takei expressed that while Hackman will be greatly missed, his legacy will live on through his work. Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola shared his tribute to Hackman in an Instagram post. Along with a photo of them, Coppola wrote:

“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Similarly, filmmaker Edgar Wright hailed Hackman as “The greatest…” after he reshared an obituary post by MUBI.